We give you some tips to maintain your car when it is going to remain parked for long.
Maintain Your Car In This Lockdown
The current 21-day lockdown that is ongoing across the country due to the novel Corona virus means that we can’t use our vehicles (unless stepping out for essentials) at all. However, that doesn’t mean that we neglect our cars; in fact we should take proper care for our cars and undertake some small steps to keep them in top shape. Here are some tips in case you’re wondering how to give your car some TLC in this lockdown.
Parking – It is recommended that you keep your car in a covered parking as much as possible but knowing the space constraints everywhere, this might not be possible for everyone. If your car is parked in the open, use a car cover to protect it from bird droppings, leaves, etc. If you don’t have a car cover and your car is parked in the open, try and give it a simple wet wipe every couple of days because dust particles and droppings that get stuck on the car for a long duration can contaminate the paint. If you have a proper closed parking in your building, you can even use this time to give your car a nice wax but doing this in the open or on the streets isn’t recommended. Use separate microfibre cloths for the body, wheels, and interior.
Handbrake – If your car is going to be parked for a long duration, it isn’t advisable to engage the handbrake very tightly as inactivity could cause it to jam. If your car is parked on a flat surface, just engage it in gear and don’t use the handbrake but if it’s on a slope then it is recommended that you put blocks near the tyres to prevent the car from rolling off. If you do engage the handbrake, ensure you go to your car once in every few days to check on it. If you have an automatic car, do not leave the car just in P if it is parked on a slope. Parking the car in P on a slope without the handbrake engaged can lead to gearbox damage.
Interior – Since your car will be parked for a long duration with the windows shut, there won’t be any ventilation in the cabin. It is recommended that you open the car at least once a week and give the dashboard, door panels, and seats a quick wipe. Ensure you don’t leave any food leftovers or trash in the car as that could leave a bad odour and even lead to rodent attacks.
Mechanicals – Usually there are no issues even if you park your car for a month (when you go on holidays, etc.) but now since you’re not away from your car, do go and start it once a week. You should idle your car for about 15-20 mins so that the engine reaches its optimal temperature. Switch on the AC and the audio system too and also do a quick up-down on all the power windows. If your car is parked in a location which is notorious for rats or other rodents, just tap your bonnet a couple of times before getting into the car. This will even allow kittens to get off before your turn the ignition on. If you have enough space in your building or colony then take a small round in your car but if you don’t have space then just move it forward and backward to avoid flat spots on the tyres.
Battery – Your car’s battery consumes power from various sources like the dashcam, security system, etc. even when the car is switched off. While most batteries won’t have any problems even if the car isn’t started for a week, you should ideally do it once a week. If your car is running on an old battery, the charge might get depleted sooner than expected hence it is advisable to keep an eye on that. If you won’t be able to start your car for long, just disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to prevent it from losing charge.
These are some tips which you should follow in this lockdown to ensure that your beloved car continues to remain in top shape. An emergency situation can strike anyone, not just in this pandemic, but also any time of the year otherwise. You should always ensure that there’s enough fuel in the car and never let it go below the 1/4th mark. This is not only useful during emergencies but also good for your fuel pump’s health. While parking your car, you should park it in such a way that if some emergency situation arises, the car can be removed quickly. If you have a perpendicular parking, always keep the front outwards. If your car is running on an old battery, it is best to get it replaced as a precaution instead of waiting for it to completely die. The last thing you want during an emergency is a dead battery. Most batteries usually last anywhere between 3.5-4.5 years.
